New Orleans-Style Creole Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich
A classic New Orleans sandwich featuring crispy fried shrimp dressed with Creole mayo and fresh lettuce on a crusty French roll. This cajun-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 35 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, all-purpose flour, cornmeal for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 530 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 2 tsp Creole seasoning
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 4 French rolls
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Creole mustard
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 medium sliced tomato
- 1/4 cup pickles, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: In a shallow bowl, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, and 2 tsp Creole seasoning.
- Step 2: Pour 1 cup buttermilk into another bowl. Dip 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp first into buttermilk, then dredge in the flour mixture until fully coated.
- Step 3: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy; drain on paper towels.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Creole mustard, and 1 tsp hot sauce to make the Creole mayo.
- Step 5: Slice 4 French rolls lengthwise, spread Creole mayo on both sides, layer with 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, fried shrimp, 1 medium sliced tomato, and 1/4 cup sliced pickles.
- Step 6: Serve immediately for a crunchy, spicy New Orleans classic.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does New Orleans-Style Creole Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover New Orleans-Style Creole Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in New Orleans-Style Creole Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale New Orleans-Style Creole Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with New Orleans-Style Creole Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich?
Cajun sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.